Heat exchanging unit for motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanging unit for motor vehicles, having a first heat exchanger that has two headers that are situated parallel to one another and at a distance from one another and that are connected to one another fluidically via a multiplicity of connecting pipes situated parallel to one another and at a respective distance in the longitudinal direction of the headers, the connecting pipes opening into the first header asymmetrically with respect to the width of the pipe floor situated perpendicular to the longitudinal first header axis, and the second wall segment, in the cross-section regarded perpendicular to the header longitudinal axis, becoming increasingly further removed from the first end of the pipe floor as the wall segment extends towards the second end area of the pipe floor, regarded in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting pipes and perpendicular to the longitudinal header axis.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a heat exchanging unit for motor vehicles, having a first heat exchanger that has two headers or collector pipes that are situated at a distance from one another and essentially parallel to one another, and that are connected to one another fluidically via a multiplicity of connecting pipes or tubes that are situated parallel to one another and at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the headers.

Heat exchanging units of this type are known. They are used for example as radiators in motor vehicles.

In a heat exchanging unit known to applicant, two headers whose cross-section perpendicular to their longitudinal axes is rectangular are connected via connecting pipes. In this design, an inlet connection and an outlet connection are provided.

In another design of a heat exchanger known to applicant, two cylindrical headers are connected fluidically via connecting pipes, and here as well an inlet connection and an outlet connection are provided. In addition, it is known to applicant to join two different heat exchangers, or to situate them closely alongside one another, one of these being a radiator and the other being an air-conditioning condenser of the air-conditioning system.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a heat exchanging unit for motor vehicles that is reliable in its operation and that has an advantageous fluidic design, and that can be manufactured economically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, exemplary and/or preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail on the basis of the Figures, the description and Figures not being intended to limit the present invention.

FIG. 1 a shows an exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanging unit according to the present invention, in a partly schematic disassembled view;

FIG. 1 b shows the construction according to FIG. 1 in the assembled state;

FIG. 1 c shows a top view of the construction according to FIG. 1 b;

FIG. 2 is an alternate embodiment of the heat exchanging unit shown in 1 b;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary construction of a heat exchanging unit according to the present invention, which can in particular also be constructed according to FIGS. 1 a-1 c, and/or can be such that it can be assembled using a tool according to FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show an exemplary construction according to the present invention that is similar to the construction according to FIGS. 1 a-1 c and that can if necessary also be developed according to the construction in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The heat exchanging unit 1 has a first heat exchanger 10 that is constructed as a radiator for a motor vehicle, as well as a second heat exchanger 12 that is constructed as an air-conditioning condenser for a motor vehicle. In addition, a first header 14 of the second heat exchanger 12 is shown, which is here constructed in two parts in cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, but can also have a one-part construction. In cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, this first header of the second heat exchanger 12 has an essentially annular shape. In addition, a heat exchanger block 16 is shown that has a multiplicity of connecting pipes, constructed as flat pipes, for the first heat exchanger 10, as well as a multiplicity of connecting pipes for the second heat exchanger 12.

Connecting pipes 18 connect a first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 fluidically to a second header (not shown) of the first heat exchanger 10. In a floor or base wall 22, which is a component of a jacket wall 26 that extends around a longitudinal axis 24 of the first heat exchanger 10, and which is oriented in toward the second header of first heat exchanger 10, a multiplicity of openings or slots are provided for receiving headers 18 that are allocated to the first heat exchanger 10. These slots 28 are situated asymmetrically with respect to the width 30 that is indicated schematically by arrow 32. This asymmetry is such that their respective midaxis, indicated schematically by reference character 34, is situated closer to a second end 36 of the floor wall 22 than to a first end 38 of the floor wall, situated at the other end.

A second wall area 40 is connected to the second end 36 of the floor wall 22, this second wall area extending up to the side of floor wall 22, indicated by arrow 42, that faces away from the second header of the first heat exchanger 10. In addition, from the first end 38 of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 there extends a first wall segment or a first wall 44, likewise to the side of the floor wall 22 facing away from the second header of the first heat exchanger 10.

Wall 44 and the floor wall 22 each have a flat construction, and are essentially perpendicular to one another. Seen in the direction of width 32 of the floor wall 22, the distance of the wall 44 from the first end 38 of the floor wall increases as the first end 36 of the floor wall is approached along this second wall (as indicated schematically by arrow 50), in the plane situated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. Wall 52, situated opposite the floor wall 22, of the jacket wall 26 has an essentially flat construction.

In the construction according to FIG. 1 a, the wall 40 has a convex curvature.

In FIG. 1 a, wall 44 is shown in the disassembled state.

In the cross-section situated perpendicular to longitudinal axis 24 of the first header 20 of first heat exchanger 10, the peripheral wall 26 therefore has a two-part construction here, and has a first, essentially U-shaped part having the floor wall 22, the second wall 40, and the wall 52 situated opposite the floor wall 22.

The second part of this two-part construction essentially has a first wall 54, which however has flanges 54, 56 at its ends that are bent away in essentially perpendicular fashion, and that are situated so that in the assembled state they overlap with the end areas of the floor wall 22 or the end areas of the wall 52 situated opposite the floor wall.

The connection can for example take place through soldering or welding, or through laser welding, or some other suitable connecting method.

At the two axial end sides of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10, in the assembled state an axial cover plate 56 is provided, which here is also shown in the disassembled state. This cover plate can also for example be attached using the named connecting method.

In addition, in FIG. 1 a a connection piece 58 is shown that opens into the first wall, or into an opening 60 provided there, and is thus connected fluidically to the inner pipe of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10.

As is indicated by broken line 66, the second wall 40, which has a convex curve, has a flow-conducting function, so that it conveys the flow of the fluid flowing through inlet opening 58 in the direction of the connecting pipes or flat pipes 18, or of slot a 66 provided in the floor wall 22.

FIG. 1 b shows the construction according to FIG. 1 in the assembled state.

FIG. 1 c shows a top view of the construction according to FIG. 1 b. Here it can in particular also be seen that the header 14 of the first heat exchanger 12 is constructed in two parts in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In addition, in FIG. 1 c it can also be seen clearly that the midaxis 34 of the connecting or flat pipes 18 of the first heat exchanger 10 is situated closer to the second end 36 of the floor wall 22 than to the first end 38 of this floor wall.

This is illustrated in that the distance a illustrates the distance between this midline 34 and the first end 36, and distance b illustrates the distance between this midline 34 and the first end 38. Furthermore, the construction according to FIG. 1 c shows the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 that contacts header 14 of second heat exchanger 12, which however can also be situated otherwise, in particular with a slight distance.

FIG. 1 c also illustrates that the second heat exchanger 12 has connecting pipes, here designated 70, that are different from the connecting pipes 18 of the first heat exchanger.

FIG. 1 c further shows that the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 extends, in the direction facing first wall 44, beyond connecting or flat pipes 18 of the first heat exchanger.

In addition, in the construction according to FIG. 1 c it can clearly be seen that the second wall, or the second wall segment, of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 is situated on the side of the first header 20 facing the second heat exchanger, and the first wall, or first wall segment 44, of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger is situated on the side of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 facing away from this second heat exchanger.

In the construction according to FIGS. 1 a to 1 c, all flat or connecting pipes 18 of the first heat exchanger open into the same interior space 80 of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger, or of the second header of the first heat exchanger 10.

However, it can also be provided that the interior space 80 of one or more of these headers is divided, by intermediate walls, into different segments that have a distance from one another in the axial direction of the relevant header.

FIG. 2 essentially shows the construction according to FIGS. 1 a-1 c, but here the first side wall 44 is not depicted. On the basis of FIG. 2, in particular an assembly tool according to the present invention is to be explained.

FIG. 2 shows an assembly tool 90 for assembling a heat exchanger having the floor wall 22 and a wall situated opposite the floor wall, and the wall 40 that connects this opposing wall 22 and the floor wall, these walls having, seen very roughly, an essentially U-shaped structure.

Tool 90 has a tool element 92 that has a multiplicity of lateral slots that are situated in parallel and at a distance from one another in the axial direction. Tool 90 can be introduced into the U-shaped profile of the header 20, so that the U-shaped profile is held on the tool 90. In particular, it can be provided that the shape of the tool element 92 is essentially adapted to the corresponding U-shaped profile.

The laterally situated slots, which during assembly protrude from the tool element 92 in the direction of the open side of the U-shape, have the purpose of accepting flat pipes or connecting pipes 18. During assembly, the U-shaped segment of the header 20 is grasped and is placed with its openings or slots onto the connecting pipes 18. Connecting pipes 18 then extend through the floor wall 22, and protrude into slots 94 of the tool element 92. Subsequently, the tool element, or the tool, can be withdrawn again from the U-shaped part, as indicated schematically by arrow 100. Connecting slots 94, which are essentially through-slots, enable the corresponding withdrawing of the tool 92. Before or after the withdrawal of the tool, connecting or flat pipes 18 can be connected to the floor wall 22, e.g. soldered and/or welded. Subsequently, the first wall 44 can be placed laterally and fastened on the U-shaped part, likewise using a suitable connecting method such as soldering and/or welding.

Covering plate 56 can then be put into place.

Applicant reserves the right to claim, in the course of the examination process, a method, taking into account the above-named steps, for manufacturing a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary construction of a heat exchanging unit according to the present invention, which can in particular also be constructed according to FIGS. 1 a-1 c, and/or can be such that it can be assembled using a tool according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows in particular that the cross-section of the interior space of the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 changes along longitudinal axis 24 of this header.

In the construction according to FIG. 3, this takes place in such a way that the inlet connecting piece 58 of the first heat exchanger 10 is situated in a first axial end area 102 of the first header 20 of first heat exchanger 10, and the cross-section of the interior space of this first header 20 tapers in the direction of the opposite end area 104, the second end area of the header 20.

In the construction according to FIG. 3, this is such that wall 106 situated opposite floor wall 22 moves increasingly toward floor wall 22 in the direction of the second end area 104.

This wall 52 situated opposite the floor wall 22 has a flat construction in the construction according to FIG. 3.

Such a wall design can take into account that the fluid flowing through the inlet connecting piece 58 flows partly through connecting pipes situated at the upper area, so that a smaller quantity of fluid flows in the lower end area, facing the second end area 104, of the header 20, and a correspondingly greater decrease in pressure would result, given a constant cross-section.

In a particularly preferred construction, the course of the cross-section, seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the one header, in particular the first header, is adapted to the volume flow of the fluid that flows through this axial area of the respective header.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary construction according to the present invention that is similar to the construction according to FIGS. 1 a-1 c and that can if necessary also be developed according to the construction in FIG. 3.

In the construction according to FIG. 4 a, in contrast to the construction according to FIGS. 1 a-1 c, it is provided that the first header 20 of the first heat exchanger 10 essentially has a one-piece construction in the cross-section situated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of this header.

FIG. 4 b shows the construction according to FIG. 4 a in a perspective view. 

1. A heat exchanging unit for motor vehicles, comprising: a first heat exchanger that has two headers situated essentially parallel to one another at a distance from one another, connected to one another fluidically via a multiplicity of connecting pipes that are situated parallel to one another and at a distance from one another in a longitudinal direction of the headers, a jacket wall of the respective header, extending around the respective longitudinal axis of the respective header, being limited in the direction facing the respective other header by a flat wall segment (the pipe floor), and the connecting pipes standing perpendicular to these flat pipe floors, and a first wall segment of the jacket wall of this first header being connected in a first end area of the pipe floor of the first header, and a second wall segment of the jacket wall of this first header being connected in the opposite, other end area of this pipe floor, and an inlet connecting piece opening into this first wall segment that is connected fluidically to the interior of the first header, and an outlet connecting piece opening in one of the headers that is connected fluidically to the interior of the relevant header, the connecting pipes opening into the first header asymmetrically with respect to the width of the pipe floor oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first header, and the second wall segment, in the cross-section regarded perpendicular to the header longitudinal axis, increasingly approaches the first end area or first end of the pipe floor as it extends away from the second end area of the pipe floor in the direction regarded perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting pipes and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the header.
 2. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the second wall segment of the first header of the first heat exchanger is convexly curved or has convexly curved segments, regarded in the cross-section perpendicular to the header longitudinal axis.
 3. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the second wall segment of the first header of the first heat exchanger has a straight construction or has straight segments, regarded in the cross-section perpendicular to the header longitudinal axis.
 4. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the inlet connecting piece extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting pipes.
 5. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the connecting pipes open asymmetrically into the pipe floor in such a way that their central longitudinal axes are at a greater distance from the first end of the pipe floor than is the central longitudinal axis of the pipe floor.
 6. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the connecting pipes are formed as flat pipes.
 7. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 6, characterized in that the flat pipes are situated in such a way that the planes fixed by them are situated parallel to one another and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first header of the first heat exchanger.
 8. The heat exchanging unit, as recited claim 1, characterized in that it has a first heat exchanger having two headers that are essentially parallel to one another and are situated at a distance from one another and that are connected to one another fluidically via a multiplicity of connecting pipes situated parallel to one another and at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the headers, the jacket wall of the respective header, extending around the respective longitudinal axis of the respective header, being limited in the direction facing the respective other header by a flat wall segment (the pipe floor), and the cross-section of the interior of at least one of these headers changing, preferably tapering, along its longitudinal axis.
 9. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the first header of the first heat exchanger changes in its cross-section along its longitudinal axis.
 10. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the first header of the first heat exchanger tapers in its cross-section along its longitudinal axis.
 11. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the inlet connecting piece is situated in a first axial end area of the first header.
 12. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 11, characterized in that the cross-section of the first header of the first heat exchanger tapers in the direction of the second axial end area of the first header.
 13. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the cross-section of the first header of the first heat exchanger tapers from its first axial end in the direction of the opposed, second axial end, in that the wall segment, situated opposite the floor wall, of the jacket wall of the first header of the first heat exchanger runs increasingly toward the floor wall along the longitudinal axis of the first header, in the direction oriented towards the second axial end.
 14. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the first header is limited at the side of the jacket wall facing away from the connecting pipes by a flat wall segment, or a flat wall.
 15. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the first header is constructed in one piece in the cross-section situated perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.
 16. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that in a cross-section situated perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the first header is constructed in multiple parts, in particular in two parts.
 17. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that in a cross-section situated perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the first header is constructed in two parts, the dividing plane being situated essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting pipes.
 18. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 17, characterized in that the dividing plane is situated in the area of the wall pointing toward the first wall segment.
 19. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 18, characterized in that the wall having the first wall segment has an essentially flat construction, and has, at its end areas in the jacket direction of the first header, flanges that are bent off in essentially perpendicular fashion and that are connected in overlapping fashion to an end segment of the floor wall and of the wall situated opposite the floor wall.
 20. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the second wall segment of the first header of the first heat exchanger has a fluidic conducting function for the fluid supplied through the inlet connecting piece, and diverts this fluid flowing through the inlet connecting piece in the direction of the connecting pipes, or supports this deflection.
 21. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 6, characterized in that the flat pipes essentially have the same width and are situated such that they are positioned one over the other so as to essentially coincide.
 22. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the first heat exchanger is a radiator of a motor vehicle.
 23. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that fluid flows through the connecting pipes essentially in parallel and in the same direction of flow.
 24. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that a second heat exchanger is provided that is different from the first heat exchanger and that has a separate fluid circuit.
 25. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 24, characterized in that the second heat exchanger has two parallel headers situated at a distance from one another that are connected to one another fluidically via a multiplicity of connecting pipes situated in parallel.
 26. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 24, characterized in that the second heat exchanger is an air-conditioning condenser of a motor vehicle.
 27. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 24, characterized in that the first and/or the second heat exchanger is made of aluminum, and is preferably made essentially completely of aluminum.
 28. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 24, characterized in that the first and the second heat exchanger are connected to one another.
 29. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that a sealing end plate is provided axially at the end of at least one of the headers, on one or both ends of the header, in particular on both axial ends of the first header of the first heat exchanger.
 30. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 29, characterized in that at least one cover plate of a first heat exchanger, situated axially on the end of a header, is a cover plate of the second heat exchanger, or is connected to such a cover plate.
 31. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 24, characterized in that the second wall, or the second wall segment, of the first header of the first heat exchanger faces the second heat exchanger, and the first wall, or the first wall segment, is situated on the side of the first heat exchanger facing away from the second heat exchanger.
 32. The heat exchanging unit as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the outlet connecting piece opens into the second header of the first heat exchanger.
 33. An assembly tool for assembling a heat exchanger having two headers and a multiplicity of connecting pipes situated in parallel that connect these headers, at least one of these headers being constructed in multiple parts, in particular in two parts, in its cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, and having in this cross-section an essentially U-shaped part that comprises a pipe floor that is provided with a multiplicity of openings for accepting the connecting pipes, the tool comprising: a tool element that can engage in this U-shape and having in its body along its longitudinal axis a multiplicity of laterally open slots that are situated in parallel and at a distance from one another axially, so that, using the tool, the U-shaped part can be grasped and placed on the connecting pipes so that the connecting pipes also extend into the tool element, and so that the tool element can subsequently be withdrawn on the basis of the slots. 